Groundwater Dependence of Riparian Woodlands and the Disrupting Effect of Anthropogenically Altered Streamflow
Melissa M. Rohde, John C. Stella, Dar A. Roberts, and Michael Bliss Singer
This paper, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, combines satellite, groundwater, and streamflow data over a 5 year period (2015-2020) to understand the impacts of groundwater depth and streamflow alteration on groundwater-dependent vegetation across California. The study shows that deeper groundwater levels resulted in poor vegetation health, but that current water management and infrastructure have profoundly altered natural hydrology in a manner that has impacted the resiliency of riparian woodlands.
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Groundwater Thresholds for Ecosystems: A Guide for Practitioners
TNC Global Groundwater Group
This publication presents a practicable approach for quantifying groundwater conditions that are protective of GDEs. Quantitative groundwater thresholds and objectives are intended to protect GDEs when evaluating new water project proposals (e.g., new wells, water transfers, etc.), developing regional and local water management plans, or meeting legal requirements such as the Endangered Species Act. This document highlights five steps to quantify what groundwater levels are needed to avoid adverse impacts from groundwater use on GDEs.
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A Global Synthesis of Managing Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Under Sustainable Groundwater Policy
Melissa M. Rohde, Ray Froend, and Jeanette Howard
This paper compares existing global policy initiatives for the protection and management of GDEs; synthesizes Australia's adaptive management approach of GDEs in their state water plans; and highlights opportunities and challenges of applying Australia's approach for managing GDEs under other water management policies worldwide.
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Mapping Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems in California
Jeanette Howard and Matt Merrifield
Most groundwater conservation and management efforts focus on protecting groundwater for drinking water, agriculture and other human uses with little consideration of the ecosystems that depend on groundwater. This work illuminates the connection between groundwater and surface ecosystems and was the first to identify and map the distribution of GDEs in California.
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Groundwater and Stream Interaction in California’s Central Valley: Insights for Sustainable Groundwater Management
The Nature Conservancy
Technical information on the state of streams and groundwater resources in California’s Central Valley is reviewed and presented graphically. The physical inter-relationship between the surface and groundwater resources and the impacts that groundwater pumping has had and is currently having on Central Valley rivers and streams is illustrated.
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The Amargosa River Defies the Desert
Jim Robbins
The Amargosa River flows through the Mojave Desert as part of a unique and threatened groundwater dependent ecosystem. This article reviews the challenges in protecting this one of a kind environment that dependent on the continued availability of groundwater.
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Ecosystems Need Groundwater Too
Lori Pottinger
Groundwater dependent ecosystems are coming into focus under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. New information and increased communication will fuel the opportunity to preserve the things we care about in California.
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Tour of Groundwater Resource Hub
Week 1 https://www.groundwaterresourcehub.org/public/uploads/pdfs/031121_GW_Email_Tour_1_7_1.pdf
Week 2 https://www.groundwaterresourcehub.org/public/uploads/pdfs/031821_GW_Email_Tour_2_1.pdf
Week 3 https://www.groundwaterresourcehub.org/public/uploads/pdfs/032521_GW_Email_Tour_3.pdf
Week 4 https://www.groundwaterresourcehub.org/public/uploads/pdfs/040121_GW_Email_Tour_4.pdf